Automatic starting system and control for hydrocarbon engines



G. A, GILLEN July 11, 1933.

AUTOMATIC STARTING 'SYSTEM AND CONTROL FOR HYDROCARBON ENGINES Filed Deo. 26, 1931 www M.. .Ob Nm Vez-7 DE Geazfge Q., 617/1922 July 11, 1933. G. A. GILLEN 1,917,580

I AUTOMATIC STARTING SYSTEM AND CONTROL FOR HYDROCARBON ENGINES Filed Dec. 26, 1951 42 Sheets-Sheet 2 68 T7- 'VET/TME George d., GaZZn.,

gi-gig.

Patented July 11, 1933 :UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE y l GEORGE A. GILIBEN, yOF BRONX, NEW YORK, .ASSIGNOR TO OAKES PRODUCTS CORPO- Y' RATION, OF NORTH CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN AUTOMATIC STARTING SYSTEM AND CONTROL FOR HYDROCARBON ENGINES Application led December 26, 1931.

- My invention relates to an improved starting system and control for hydro-carbon engines in which the starting motor is automatically switched into circuit when the ignition switch is closed and is automatically disconnected from circuit ,when the engine has been properly started thereby, and is automatically reconnected in circuit to re-start the engine in case the engine should accident-ally stop. l

.ln starting systems, as for example in automotive vehicles, where the source of current supply, such as a battery, is of limited voltage, there must be considerable current fiow in order to deliver sufficient power to the starting motor to start the engine. The switch members and contacts` of the circuit controlling switch for the starting motor are therefore subjected to heavy current fiow, and the resulting arcing will soon roughen thel cop,- tactsurfaces so that the current fiow through the resulting restricted current paths will fuse the metal of the contacts, and ,so-called freezing together ofthe contacts will result and thisis particularly disadvantageous in olectro-magnetically operated switches as the contacts will not separate after opening of the energizing circuit fory the switch and the starting motor ywill remain in circuit after the engine has been started and is running at a high speed kand this may result in serious damage to the*` motor or the engine. A n important object of my invention is therefor the provision of means, in connection with an electromagnetically operated switch for the starting motor circuit, which will become automatically effective to cause relative movement of the switch contacts for separation thereof as soon as the energizing circuit for the electromagnetic switch is opened.

, A further object ofthe invention is to proifide improved means dependent for its operation upon the operation of the engine, and adapted to close the switch energizing circuit and render the contact releasing and reparation means ineffective for starting of the engine bythe starting motor, and to onen the energizing circuit for separa tion of f tbeswitch contacts and to render t-he cont-act releasing means effective for separa-tion of the Serial N0. 583,322.

contacts in case of freezing of the contacts or any other condition which would tend to prevent separation of the contacts in the ordinary manner.

A further object of the invention is to provide electromagnetically controlled means for releasing the contacts, and a circuit for such means partly controlled by the relative movement of the contacts.

A still further object is to provide electro magnetic means for controlling the separation of the contacts and a circuit for such means conjointly controlled by the relative movement of thev contacts and by the running of the engine.

Still another obj ect is to provide governor means connected either directly or indirectly with the engine shaft, and switch means controlled by the governor means to dos@ the energizing circuit for the electromagnetic starting switch when the engine is at rest, and to open the energizing circuit and close the contact releasing` circuit after the engine has been started but the contacts have not separated to open the starting circuit.

Another object is to provide a switch of the solenoid Atype in which relatively movable core members are surrounded by an energizing winding and form the terminals of the starting motor circuit to be shifted into contact to close such circuit when the energizing circuit is closed, together with means automatically controlled to effect relative rotational movement of said core members to release them from freezing engagement or other conditions which would prevent their separation after opening of the energizing circuit.

The above specifically referred to and other features of the invention are incorporated in the structure shown on the drawings, in which drawings Figure 1 is a more or less diagrammatic illustration of my improved electromagnetic starting switch and the governor and switch mechanism controlled thereby, and connecting circuit and other controlling switches, the starting circuit controlling switch being shown in vertical diametral section;

Figure 2 is an end view of the starting circuit controllingV switch; and

, one end of the spool 'is a bracket 12 by means of which the switchstructure may be supported as for example on the starting motor diag fammatieally shown and indicated by the numeral 13. A stationary cylindrical switch terminal or contact member 14 extends 'i concentrically in one end of the bore of the spooll() and has the post 15 extending'therefrom through an opening 16 in the bracket 12, a nut 17 engaging the posty to thus secure the terminal member-,insulating Washers 18 being preferably interposed so as to insulate the terminal member from the bracket.

Extending into the other end of the bore of the spool 10 is the cylindrical switch terminal member l19, the terminal members being preferably of copper or other good current conducting metal. The terminal member 19 is surrounded by a sheath or sleeve 20 of good magnetic material such as Swedish iron which forms an armature or core tor the solenoid 11, this sleeve being secured to .the member 19 and extending only along the inner part thereof. l Y

The inner eindrof the terminalmember19 1 of frusto-,conical shape to form a frusto-` conical contactgsurface21. The inner end ot the stationary terminalmember 14 is countei'sunk to provide the conical vsurface 22 parallel with the frusto-conical surface 21 on member 19 so thatthe end of the member 19 may intimately engage With the end of .the member 14. A compression spring 2 3seated in the pocket 24 in the member 14 extends outwardly into engagement inthe recess 25 `termed at the apex ot thc member 19 and is insulated trom this member by the insertion of a lining 26 in the recess of insulating material as for example so ealledbalrelite, this spring tending to hold the switch terminal members normally'separatcd and out of electrical contact. lVhen the member 19 is in its outer position the magnetic shell 2() thereon is displaced from the magnetic center of the energizing coil 11 butv upon current flow through the coil the shell will be shifted in'- vvardly and the terminal'member 19 Willbe brought into electrical engagement' withthe stationary member 14 to close the starting motor circuit. This circuit extends from'the battery 27 through the conducto`r28to a terminal post 29 mounted on the cylindrical flange 30` extending from the outer end'of the spool 10, the post beingconnected byV a Hexible connector 31 with Vthe switch terminal member 19. rlhe stationary member 14 is connected by a conductor 32 with one terminal of the starting motor 13 whose other terminal is grounded, and one side of the battery is also grounded so that when the switch is energized and the terminal members 19 and 14 brought into engagement, the starting circuit is closed `and the starting motor operates.

Upon opening of the energizing circuit, the spring 23 will tend to separate the switch terminal member 19 from the terminal member 14,'but such separation may be prevented by the freezing .of the terminals or other reasons.

VThe releasing means for the switch terminals comprises an electromagnet 33 mounted within the outer head of the spool 10 at one side of the bore thereof, and an armature bar or lever 34 extending crosswise of and secured to the outer end of the movable switch terminal member 19. 'The lever may be secured in cross passage 35 in the member 19 and when this member is in its outer or circuitopening position the lever will be outwardly displaced from the end 36 of the electromagnet 33, and a spring 37 extends from the opposite end of the lever and is anchored tothe spool head and tends to hold thatend of the lever against a stop post 3 l with the lever away from the magnet core in thedirection ot the magnet axis, so that normally the end of the lever is displaced both axially and laterally from the electromagnetcore. Upon energization ot the switch coil Vand inward movement of the switch terminal member 19 to close the startin g circuit; the armature lever will be moved inwardly with its end in front of the electromagnet core but still displaced therefrom by a gap. However, if the electromagnet 33 should now be energized the lever 34 will be swung against the pull of the spring 37 and the switch terminal member 19 will be axially rotated relative to the stationary terminal 14 and if' thesenlelnbers have been frozen or held together such relative turning will cause shearing action between the members to release them from each other so that the spring 23 may function to separate the members and shiftthe member 19 outwardly. Y

The armature lever 34 carries a contact plate 39 Which is insulated therefrom, and mounted onthc head of the spool l0 is a flexible contact arm 40. When the switch terminalinemher19 is shifted inwardly to close the starting circuit, and the electromagnet not energized, the Contact plate 39 vvill come into engagement with the contact arm '40 to closeat that point an energizing cir' cuit for the electromagnet 33, and if the electromagnet is now energized and the lever 34 is swung, the Contact 39 will be disconnected from the contact arm 40 to open the energizing circuit, but, upon the opening of the circuit andthe de-energization of the magnet, the spring 37 will swing' the lever 34 back to re-engage its contactl 3 with the arm 40, and thus, so long as the switch terminal member 19 is in its inner position and the electroinagnet 38 is energized7 the lever will be repeatedly swung and the terminal member 19 repeatedly axially oscillated so that, it separation of the terminal meinbers not lully effected aliter the iii-st rotation ot the member 19, rotation ot the meinber will be repeated until separation is accomplisl'ied and the sin-ing' 23 may Alnncticn to tully separate the terminal members. The relative movement ot the terminal member thus controls at one point the energization the releasing' magnet 33.

lhe releasingI circuit controlled at another point by a switch mechanism A' automatically controlled by a governor mechanism B which is permanently connected either directly indirectly with the .shaft ot' the engine with which the starting` system is associated. The switch A con'iprises a .switch lever 41 connected by conductor 42 with the contact 43 ot the switch C, the switch lever or blade 44 beine` connected with the poeitive terminal ot the battery 27. A contact of the switch A is connected by ronductor with one terminal of the energizing; winding 11 ot the electromagnet startingl switcln the other terminal of the winding being` connected by conductor 47 with `around. The contact 48 ot' the switch A is connected. by conductor 49 with the contact plate 39 on the armature lever 34, and the contact is connected by conductor 5() with one terminal of the electronlagnet 33 whose other terminal'is connected by conductor 51 to ground. Thus upon engagement of the switch blade 44 of the switcn C with the Y tact 43, and engagement ot the switch blade 41 ofthe switch A with its contact 451 current will flow trom the battery through the energizing' winding 11r` and when tl e switch blade 41 shifted to the contact 48.y this energizing circuit will be opened and the rcleaae circuit will be closed th 1ouah the eleetromagnet it the switch terminal member 19 remains'in its inner or circuit closing` position. lhen the switch terminal member 19 is in its outer position the circuit will be opened as the contact on the armature lever is disconnected trom the contact arm 40 as has already been expla-ined.

. The switch C has other contacts and 53 both connected with one terminal ot Vhe prt mary winding'. 54 of a suitable ignition coilv for providing` ignition current for the engine. Vilhen the switcl blade 44 connects with the contact 43 it is also in connection with the contac 52 so that the ignition coil is'switched into circuit at the saine-time that the enen `gizinc' circuit for the starting electromagnet swing of the switch blade to the contact 53, the contacts 43 and F2 will be disconnected and only the ignition coil will be in circuit i'or the ordinary starting ot' the motor. ln other words, by one setting' of the switch C closure ot the ignition circuit will be auto- 1era, tically Vtollowed by starting' ot' the engine, and in another setting: oi' the switch only the ignition circuit is closed and the engine must be started in sonic oth r manner.

Describinn new the `governor meclunitni it and ite automatic control of' the switch A, the governor may be mounted on the shaft of the generator G, or on any other ivaih able .shaft or member which is rotated when the eng-ine is running. f he governor mechanism is more or less diagrammatically illustrated an(V as shown. it may compri a collar rigidly secured on the shaft 55 and a hub or sleeve 5T shittable on the shaft but held by a spline 5S to rotate with the shaft. At its outer end the hub E? has the flange 59 for cooperating with the switch A. Pivoted to the fixed collar 56 are the levers GO terminat- ,incl` at their outer ends in Lgovernor balls Gl, these levers being` connected by links 62 with the sleeve 57 so that as the balls are swungl outwardhr by centrifugal action the sleeve will be shifted on the shatt- A spring* 5? tends to hold the ball levers in wardly with the sleiwe abutting` against the collar this being; the position when the engine and consequently the shaft are at rest..

lPhe switch blade 41 of the switch structuic A haty the horns or extensions G4 and 65 between the ends ot which is received the flangia on the sleeve 57. An arm 5G extciidina' outwardly between the horns is connected by a spring 67 with the bracket 68 extendingr 'trom the traine of the generator and serving: as a mounting; for the operating' parts ot the switch mechaniain A. the anchorage point of the spring' (37 on thc bracln-t beine' directly below the pivot point (t9 ot the switch blade lll so that as the blade swings to either sido ol" the. spring; axis its further n'iovement will be a snap action. Stops 70 and 71 are proA vided on the bracket GS tor limiting the swing' ot the switch blade the blade at the oud ot its swing' beim; either in engagement with the contact 45 or the contact 4S to whichy reference has already been made,

Describing now the operation of the system. it it is desired to use the automatic starting tcature, the ignition switch (l, which is normally open. is moved into engagement with the contacts 43 and .f2 Battery current then tlorrs tln'on h the n y side ot the ignition winding` tor the ignition of the engine, and battery curr-ent also *flows through the switch blade 41. contact 45 and through conductor 4G and the. energizing? winding` 1l of the electromagnctir switch. The switch terminal member 19 is then drawn inwardly into engagement with the stationary terminal 14 to clone the starting circuit for the starting motor 13 and the engine is turned for starting. The inward movement of the terminal member 19 aleo brings the armaturelever into operative position relative to the electromagnet 33 and the Contact 39 on the armature lever comes into engagement with the contact aun el() to close at that peintthe energizing circuit for the electromagnet- 'l'he turning speed of the engine by the starting motor ie Sina-ll compared to the running` speed of th engine, and the `governor weight and spring are a'ljueted so that during turn-- ing of vthe engine by the starting motor there will not be eui'licient movement of the sleeve 57 for actuation. of the switch blade 4.1 o'l the switch A. AS soon, however, as the engine has been started and has acquired nu'liicient speed, the governor will Shift the sleeve 57 vtar enough so that the cooperation oit the flange 59 with the horn ($5 of the switch blade 4i will swing the switch blade beyond the neutral line of the spring 67 and then the switch blade is quickly snapped into en gagement with the Contact 48, such movement tiret opening the energizing Circuit of the electronagnet switch and then closing the energiying circuit for the electromagnet 33 at a second point. Upon dre-energization ofthe electromagnet starting switch the spring 23 should shiftthe terminal member 19 outwardly away from the Stationary member 14 to break the Starting motor 3() circuit. Such outward movement of the member 19 would break the energizing circuit of the electromagnet 33 by disengagement ot the Contact 39 from the contact arm 4.0. However, if the movable terminal. member 19 has becomeY frozen or stuck to the stationary member 14 so that the spring 23 cannot cause separation, then the energining` circuit of the eleetromagnet remains cloeed and the armature lever 34 will. be attracted by the electromagnet and swung to cause rotation of' the terminal member 19 relativel to the stationary member 1.4, and `auch movement will brealr loose and release the terminal member 19 so that it may be shifted to ite outer or circuit opening position. Uien the armature lever is swung to rotate the member 19 the Contact 39 is: disconnected from the :ontact arm 40 and the spring 37 will Swing the lever away from the e,lfctio11iaguet core end to ite-engage the contact 39 with the arm 40, and if after the tiret oscillation of the member 19 it has not been fully released from the member 14: it will e given :mother oscillation. Then after complete release and outward Shift of the meml ber 19 the armatru'e lever will be shifted outwardly with the member 19 to onen the energizing circuit for the electromagnet by the separation of the Contact 39 from the contact arm 40, the energizing circuit however reH maining closed at the engagement of the switch blade 41 Vwith the contact 48 of the eiwit-c matically rieonneeted oirestarting o the engine. Of course.y 'if the driver opens the Ltion switch the engine will come to a. stop @ed 'the Switch A will be eet 'for operation of the eleetroinaenetic startine switch as Soon as w :a n

Y only until the switch blade has been "ed thi-on 1 the neutral line 0i' the spring section, and after setting of ,f Y. i the ii; nge 59 will not engage with 1 horns, lfriction being in this way avoided.

it' the driver does not deeire to use the automatic Starting, he may Set the Switch C to connect the blade 1.14 only with the contact r" that only the ignition coil will be in fri Si) circuit and the engine can then be started by cranking or in any other nianner. An insulated knob .72 may be provided at the outer end ot the movable ,ewitrh terminal member' 19 so that the member 19 may be shifted manually eloee the Starting circuit, such manual et t being desirable when inspection or repaireI are being made.

)le has been pointed out, the adjustment of the governor is euch that, during turning oit the engine by the starting motor, the Sleeve 57 'will not be shifted suiliciently to aetuate the switch A. When the engine nin been Started the sleeve 5T will he shifted .into cooperation with the e witch blade ll1 to cause disconnection ot the starting Switch circuit, and the arrangement and adjustment is surh that, even though the e; fine sicu 1, flown to a Slow idling Speed, the` sleeve will not return a M :ie :iwitch blade beyond the .ieutral line, ai d it only when the engirie tails; and Vonne; to u stop that there Suilh-,ient return movement oi: the sleeve gr the :switch @ill pant the neutral line i Aan action thereot to reclofze the @tarting Switch energizing circuit, and (meration at any time ot the starting motor while the V.ne in running. will be re,\.feiitr:l. Ae chang s and modifie: Lions may be made in 'the co et E ctien and arrangenuut and oplion without departing 'from the scope of my iuwntion, l do not (lenire to be limited to the exact strurture and arrangement Shown except as ie Specified in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an electrical system, a solenoid coil, an energizing circuit therefor, switchy means controlling said energizing circuit, circuit terminals extending into opposite ends of said coil and means adapting said terminals for movement into engagement with each other when said coil is energized, .means tending to separate said terminals, electromagnetic releasing means and a circuit therefor, means for closing said releasing circuit at one point when said terminals .are moved into engagement, said switch means being adapted in one position to close the energizing circuit and open said releasing circuit at another point and adapted in another position to open the energizing circuit and close the releasing eircuit at such point and thereby fully close said releasing circuit upon failure of said terminals to separate when said energizing circuit is opened, said electromagnetic means being connected to cause relative axial rotational movement of said terminals for release there of and separation, and a working circuit cona working circuit controlled by said terminais, means whereby said terminals are relatively moved in said coil toward each other to close said working circuit upon closure of said energizing circuit, means tending to move said terminals apart to open said working circuit when said energizing circuit is opened, and electrical means independent of said coil operable to cause relative movement of said terminals in a direction different from that of movement of the terminals directly away from each other whereby upon adhesion of said terminals to each other after opening of the energizing circuit, said terminals will be released from each other for separation by said separating means.

3. In an electrical system, the combination of an electromagnetic lswitch comprisinga coil, an energizing circuit for said coil, an armature movable in response to current flow through said coil, circuit terminals engaged by the movement of said armature, a working circuit controlled by -said terminals, means tending to separate said terminals upon interruption of current iiow through said coils, and means automatically operable to cause shearing action between said terminals to assist said separating means in separating said terminals upon cessation of current flow through said coil.

4. In an electrical system, the combination of an electromagnetic switch comprising a coil and an armature movable in response to current flow through said coil, a current sup- .ply circuit for said coil, a working circuit,

switch contacts for said working circuit adapted to be engaged by the movement of said armature to close said working circuit,

means tending to separate said contacts, and electromagnetic means associated with said contacts for causing shearing action between them te assist separation thereof by said separating means upon cessation of current flow through said coil.

In an electrical system, an elcctromagnetic switch comprising a solenoid and a core member shiftable therein in response to current flow therethrough, a current supply eircuit for said solenoid, a contact member movable with said core, a companion contact member in the path of the movable contact member, a working circuit controlled by said contacts to be closed when said contacts are brought together, means tending to separate said contacts, a releasing electromagnet and a circuit therefor, an armature lever having operative connection with said core and means for closing the energizing circuit of said releasing electromag'net whereby said armature lever is contracted and said core and the contact thereon rotated to effect shearing action between said contact members for release thereof from each other and separation thereof by said separating means.

6. In an electrical system, the combination of an electromagnetic switch comprising a solenoid and a core shiftable therein in respense to current flow therethrough, a current supply circuit for said coil and controlling means for said circuit, a contact movable with said core., a companion contact in the path of said movable contact for engagement thereby, means tending to separate said contacts, a working circuit controlled by said contacts to be closed when said contacts are in engagement, a releasing electromagnet, an armature lever having operative connection with said core and normally displaced from the magnetic field of said releasing magnet but shifted into such field when said core is moved to engage said contacts, an energizing circuit for said release electromagnet, and switch means operative to open said coil circuit and close said electromagnet energizing circuit, closure of said electromagnet circuit causing attraction of said' armature lever and rotational movement of said movable contact for shearing action between said contacts to effect release of said contacts for separation thereof by said separating means.

7. In an electrical system, an electromagnetic switch comprising a solenoid and a core movable therein in responsey to current flow therethrough, a current supply circuit for said solenoid, a contact movable with said core and a. companion contact in the path thereof for engagement thereby upon current How through said solenoid, means tending` to separate said contacts, a working circuit controlled by said contacts, a releasing electromagnet, an armature lever having operati vc connection with said core and normally displaced from the magnetic field of said releasof said electromagnet circuit resulting in attraetionof said armature lever and rotational movement of said core and contacts to effect shearing action between said' contacts in ease they have become stuck together, whereby to release said contacts from each other for separation by said separating means.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name at Chicago, Cook County,

Illinois.

GEORGE A. GILLEN. 

